Apparatus and method for filling milk containers



April 27, 1954 H. B. aABsoN ET AL 2,676,743

APPARATUS AND METHGD FbR FILLING MILK CONTAINERS Filed April 28. 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 27, 1954 H. B. BA B'SON ETAL 2,676,743

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILLING MILK CONTAINERS Filed April 28, 1951 6 Sheets-:Sheet '2 April 27, 19544 H. B. BABsoN ETAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILLING MILK CONTAIN jwrzaa, gay/4% A ril 27, 1954 H. B. BABSON ETAL 2,676,743

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILLING MILK CONTAINERS Filed April 28, 1951 Y s Sheets-Sheet 5 April'27, 1954 H. BFBABSON ETAL APPARATUS AND'METHOD FOR FILLING MILK CONTAINERS Filed April 28, 1951 4 s Sheets-Sheet s I a/ ,firverzzara ewwfiarr,

- C/z'eaiemfiozrzg; ma 2 mag/m Patented Apr. 27, 1954 I APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILLIN G MILK CONTAINERS Henry B. Babson,

Chicago, and Chester A.

Thomas, Lake Forest, 111., assignors to Babson Bros. 00., a corporation of Illinois Application April 28, 1951, Serial No. 223,608

This invention relates to a milk distribution {system and more particularly to an apparatus and method for filling milk containers. ticularly adapted for use in conjunction with the It is parmachine milking of cows where the milk is passed into a common pipe to be directed into a plurality of containers.

One feature of this invention is that it provides a method for filling a series of milk containers with very little attention on the part of an operator. Another feature of the invention is that it provides means whereby an operator can fill milk cans, divert the flow of milk to other cans,

replace the filled cans with empty cans and re- ;peat this process as long as milk is available in the pipe line. A further feature of the invention is that it provides a means for filling a number of cans without having an operator stand by to prevent overflowing of each can after it has been filled. A further feature of the invention is that it enables milk containers to be filled with milk without exposing the milk to contamination from the atmosphere during the filling operation. Another feature of the invention is that it provides a distribution system including a valve, the operation of which enables an operator to choose the sequence of filling of a number of containers in fluid communication with each other. An

- other feature of the invention is that it provides 1 means for connecting a number of milk containersto'gether to maintain a continuous passageway through the containers.

Other features and advantagesof this inven- "tion will be apparent from the following specification and drawings, in which:

'Fig. 1 is a plan view of a number of milk containers linked togetherin accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the valve in a different position so that two of the containers which have been filled may be removed without interrupting the filling process; Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view, partially broken and partiallyin section, of the distribution valve used in the embodimentillustrated in Fig. 1;

. Fig. 4is a vertical sectional viewof the distribution valve shown'in Fig.3 taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig- 5 is a sectional view of the distribution valve taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4;

" Fig. 6 is a 'sectionalview of the. distribution valveitaken along the line66 of Fig. 4; V Fig. 7 isaview similar to Fig. 6 except with the valveturned to a different setting;

' Fi'g. .8 is a view similar toFigs; Band 7 except thatthe valvetisat. still anotherxsetting;

11 Claims. ((31. 226-116) Fig. 9 is an exploded view, partially in section,

showing the two portions of the distribution valve;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the valve as it would appear looking up from the bottom of the exploded view shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is like Fig. 1 but illustrating another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 12 is a to plan view of the distribution valve used in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the distribution valve takenalong the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12; J" I Fig. 14 shows one setting of the valve illustrated in Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 shows another setting of the valve of 'Fig'. 12;

Fig. 16 is like Fig. 1 but illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;

' Fig. 17 shows the distribution valve illustrated in the embodiment of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation of the distribution valve employed in the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 16;

Fig- 19 is a top sectional view taken along the line I9--l9 of Fig. 18 showing one setting of the distribution valve illustrated in Fig. 16; and

Fig. 20 illustrates another setting of the distribution valve illustrated in Fig. 16.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will hereinbe described in detail three specific embodiments, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the In some of the dairies utilizing the latest developments in the machine milking field, milk is run a final container. or can. In a large dairy the milk flows through the pipe in a fairly constant stream of considerable magnitude and, consequently, itis highly desirable to provide some means which will avoid having an attendant stand by whilewaiting for the containers to be filled. In accordance with this invention, a number ofcontainers connected together in series by easily removablefluid passagesmay be filled in serial order or in select groups without necessitatingthe constant attendance of an operator and: without spilling any. of the milk. This is accomplished by arranging a number of milk contair'iers miseries having. fluid passages linking tainer 2 I them together to form a single continuous fluid system. A distribution valve controls one end of such a system and the system is doubled-back so that the valve may again control the system at some point between the two ends thereof, and thus the valve may subdivide the system into groups which may be filled as separate units of the system. The valve is arranged to control the flow of milk through the system so that a group of containers which have been filled may be disconnected from the rest of the systemand replaced by empty containers which may then be valved back into the system.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, there are shown a number of containers 20, 2|, 22, 23 and 24 which are connected together in series. To this end the container 23 is connected to the container 22 by means of a fluid passage which, in the embodiment illustrated, may take the form of a strip of molded plastic tubing 26 having each end inserted through an opening in the lid 2! provided on each container. The container 22 is connected to a central distribution valve 28 by a second fluid, passage 29, the valve serving to connect the passage 29 with another passage 36 having its other end connected through an opening in the lid 21 of the con- The container 2! in turn is connected by means of the tubing 32 to the container 20 in a manner similar to the previously described connections and thecontainer 2G is connected by passage or tubing 32 to the distribution valve 28, which is also connected to the container 23 by the passage 25. The containers may readily be introduced into the system for, as can be seen in Fig. 2, each of the lids 21 is provided with two apertures 33 into which the ends of the tubing may readily be inserted to provide air-tight con- .nection between the tube and the interior of the container. A common supply pipe 34 is provided for delivering milk to the distribution valve 28 for distribution throughout the series of containers, and the last container in the series, which, in this particular embodiment is the container 24, is connected to a vacuumline 35 through an aperture in its lid.

The distribution valve 28 is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 9 and includes a valve body 36 having a frusto-conical bore 31 therein with a number of ports extending through the body and opening into the bore. As will be noted from Fig. 9, two ports ti! and 43 are located at diametrically opposite positions in the lower portion of the bore 3? and two additional ports M and 42 are anguiarly displaced from the first mentioned ports and are located near the upper portionv of the bore. Ehe ports 4% to 43 inclusive connect with individual short pipe sections 5E: to 53, with the pipe sections being connected to the containers 28 to 23 inclusive as previously described.

Rotatable in the bore 31 is a valve core member 55 having a lower circular portion '53 adapted to make fluid-tight contact with the lower portion of the bore and an upper cylindrical portion 5'5 to make fluid-tight contact with the upper portion of the bore. The valve core is provided at its bottom with three cutaway portions forming fluid passageways 58 which extend upwardly only a part of the way towards the top of the core. Opposite sides of the core are formed with dished out portions 59. to provide fluid passageways indicated at '60 extending parallelly on. either side of the core and between the sealing portions 58 and 51 thereof. I l

The supply pipe 34 connects with ,a. passage 61 extending axially through the bor and communicating with another cutout portion 62 providing a passageway eatending parallel to the passageways 68 but separated therefrom by the inter vening portions of the core. As will be noted from Fig. the cutout portion 62 extends between the portions 56 and 51 or the core to provide a passageway elongated vertically to an extent sufiicient to communicate either with the upper ports 4! and 42 or with the lower ports and 43 as the valve core is rotated.

As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the body 36 of the valve 28 is fixed to a lid 63 which is adapted to be secured in fluid-tight relationship on the top of the container 241 and which may be readily removed when the container moved after it has become filled with milk. Each of the cutaway portions 58 open through the bottom of the valve core which is, in effect, av port opening into the container 24.

The operation of this particular embodiment of the invention is as follows. With the valve set in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 6, milk delivered through the supply line 34 enters the passages iii and is directed by means of the passageway 62 into the pipe 53 and hence into the tubing 25 and container 23. When container 23 is completely filled milk passes through the container, tubing 25 and into the container 22. When this latter container is filled, milk passes through the passage 25} into the distribution valve 23 and through the port 42, through passageway and out through port 4! into the container 2|.

-When the container 2! is filled, milk is delivered through the passage 3i intothe container 2:) and when that container is filled it is delivered into the passageway 58 which is then aligned with the port as and thence into the final container 24.

Thus with the valve so set no attention is needed by an operator until sufficient milk has been introduced into the system to fill all five containers.

Should it be desired to use no more than five containers under conditions where more than enough milk to fill the five containers isexpected to be delivered, the operation may be modified by shifting the valve by means of its handle to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 7. In this position milk entering the passage (ii is delivered through the port 42 into the container 22. When this container is filled, milk is delivered to the container 23 and thence back into the distribution valve through the port 43 which connects with the passageway 58 and hence with central container 24. Containers 20 and 2! which may have been previously filled are removed from the system for emptying or to be replaced by other containers after lifting out the tubes which connect them in the system. When the containers 22 and 23 are completely filled, which will become evidentwhen milk is seen flowing through the transparent plastic tubing 25 into the central container 24, the containers 29 and 2! can be hooked back into the series and the valve shifted to the position shown in Fig. 8. With the valve in this position, milk is delivered to the empty containers 2!! and 2| and cut oif from the containers 22 and 23. These latter containers may .then be. removed and replaced by empty containers;

In this form of operation which provides for a continuous source of milk and continually fills containers so that they may be replaced without interrupting the operation, the central con- Thus should there be'delay inemptying and replacing the conempty containers and shift the valve.

H4 to fill that container and then 5 tainers to the extent that the containers in service become completely filled the excess is led into the container 24 which gives the operator some excess time in order to hook up] the new At the end of the operation the milk in the container 24 is, of course, used and none is wasted.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 11 to inclusive and includes a distribution valve 88 including a valve casing 8I having a conical frusto bore 82 with a conical valve core '83 rotatable therein. The valve core is provided with a central passage 84 to which the supply pipe 85 is connected, the passage 84 opening into a laterally extending passageway 88 which opens to the side of the bore member.

The core-is also provided with two moon-shaped connecting passageways 81 and 88 which have a length sufiicient 'to connect together certain of theports inthe valve casing as the valve core is rotated. Five ports 88 to 94 are provided in the valve casing .each connected to a nipple I88 to I84. Means in the form of a handle I85 are provided for rotating the valve to position the various passages with respect to the ports. to distribute the 'milk amongst a plurality of containers.

As shown in Fig. 11.nine such containers are shown, each of which is to be filled by milk passing through the distribution valve 88. As will be noted from that figure, the supply line I88 is connected to a container H8, the line I8I is connected to the container III, the line I82 is connected to the container H2, I83 is connected to container .H 3 and line I84 to container H4 by .the lines indicated. The container I I8 is connected to a second container H8a which is in turn connected to the container III. The container H2 is connected to the container H2a which connects to the container H3. The container H4 connects to container I Me which is connected to container H4b to which a vacuum line I I 5 is connected. The connections used may be the flexible plastic tubing previously described which is inserted through appropriate openings :in the lid of each container, it being felt that the construction of such tubing and lids has been suificiently previously described and need-not be again described here.

With the valve in the position shown in Fig. 12, milk coming through the supply line is directed into the passageway 88 and passage I08 to container H8. Milk fills the containers H8, H8a, I I I andreturns to the distribution valve through the passage I 8|. Upon reaching the valve the milk passes through the moon-shaped passageway 81 into the passage I82 to fill the containers H2, HM and H3.

If it is desired to fill all the containers at one time the valve may be left in the position of Fig.

12 whereupon after filling container H3 milk passes through the passage I83, port 93, passageway 88, port 94, passage I84 and into container to fill containers HM and H41).

-. Inasmuch as the usual dairy installation and equipment are designed to move the milk from the cow to the container through the use of vacuum applied to the container, it is obviously undeslrable at any time during the actual milking operation to shut off the vacuum. It is preferable,

therefore, to use the system herein disclosed as a continuous system by replacing filled containers without shutting off the delivery. Thus, when the milk begins to flow into the container I I? e valvema be shifted o t e positi n hown 1 in Fig. 14 which directs milk into the balance of thecontainers but cuts off containers I I8, HM and III so that they may be emptied or removed and replaced by others. Furthermore, if it is desired to fill more than three containers before shifting the valve, the valve may be left in the position shown in Fig. 12 until all the containers except H4, H411 and H42; are filled whereupon the valve may be shifted to the position shown in Fig. 15 which directs milk only into the last three named containers so that the others may be removed and emptied.

Another form of the invention is shown in Figs. 16 to 20 inclusive and includes a simplified form of distribution valve I28 which includes a casing I2,I having a core I22 rotatable therein through the medium of a handle I23. The core is provided with a moon-shaped passageway I24 and a second passageway I25 cut in the side of the bore and positioned to register with any one of the ports I28, I21 or I28 provided in the valve casing and opens through a port I28 in the bottom of the valve to connect with the container directly below the valve, it being understood thatthis valve is, like the first embodiment shown, mounted on a lid I38 for a container. Milk is directed into the valve through a supply line I3I which is connected to the inlet port I26. A pipe I33 is connected to the port I 2'! and a second pipe I34 is connected to the port I28.

As shown in Fig. 16, a number of containers can be connected in series to the distribution valve I28, there beingten such containers shown with the valve mounted on container I48 and with the pipe I33 connected to another container I43 and the pipe I34 connected to the container I44.

The container I43 is connected in series to four other containers I43a, I431), I430, which latter container is connected to the container I44. The container I48 is connectedin series to the con tainers I48a, I481), I480 and MM, the latter container being connected to a vacuum line I45.

With the valve in the position shown in Figs. 17 and 19, all of the containers are connected in series for filling, and milk is directed through the passageway I24 from the port I26 to the port I2! to fill in sequence the containers I43a, I432), I430 and I44. When the container I44 is filled, milk is directed through the port I28 and passageway I 25 into the container I48, and when the last named'container is filled the containers I48a, I481), I480 and MM are filled.

If it is desired to replace cans which have been filled without interrupting the flow of milk when the first five containers have, been filled, the valve may be shifted to the position shown in Fig. 28 which directs milk into the container E48 through the passageway I25, the container I48 and thence into the last four containers in the series. While these containers are being filled, the first five may be removed and emptied or replaced.

It will be obvious that while specific numbers of containers are shown connected to the distribution valve in each embodiment of the invention illustrated, greater or fewer numbers of containers maybe employed as the case warrants, with the added containers being connected in series to the containers illustrated so that the entire system may be enlarged or reduced in size as conditions demand.

We claim:

1. A. milk distribution system comprising: a first and a second plurality of containers;. a first system of fluid passages connecting the first pluomens rality of containers together in series; a second system of fluid passages connecting the second plurality of containers together in series; means for applying vacuum to the last container in the second series; a source of milk; a distribution valve having at least three ports, the first of which is connected to the first container of the first series, the second or" which is connected to the last container of the first series, and the third of which is connected to the first container of the second series, and said valve having at least two fluid passageways, the first of which is adapted to connect the source with a single port and the other of which is adapted to connect together two of said ports; a movable member controlling the passageways; and means for moving the member from a first position in which the source is connected through the first passageway to the first port with the other passageway connecting together said second and third ports, to a second position connecting the source to the third port whereby fiow to the first series of containers is shut off. I

2. A milk distribution system comprising: a first plurality of containers; a second plurality of containers; a common overflow container; a first system of fiuid passages connecting the first plurality of containers and the common container together in series; 3, second system of fiuid passages connecting the second plurality cf containers and the common container together in series, with the common container being the lowest in each series; means for applying vacuum to the common container; a source of milk; distribution valve means having at least five ports, the first and second of which are connected to different containers in the first series, the third and fourth of which are connected to different containers in the second series, and the fifth of which is connected to the common container, and said valve means having at least three fiuid passageways, the first of which is adapted to connect the source to a single port, the second of which is adapted to connect together two of said ports and the third of which is adapted to connect the fifth port with one of the other ports; a movable member controlling the passageways; and, means for moving the member from a first position connecting all of the containers together in a single series in which the source is connected through the first passageway to the first port, the second and third ports are connected together through the second passageway and the fourth and fifth ports are connected together through the third passageway, to a second position connecting the source only to said first series with the source being connected through said first passageway to the second port and said first and fifth ports are connected together through the third passageway, and to a third position connecting the source only to said second series with the source being connected through said first passageway to the third port and said fourth and fifth ports are connected together through said third passageway.

3. A milk distribution system comprising: three groups of containers; a first system of fluid passages connecting the containers of the first group together in series; a second system of fluid passages connecting the containers of the second group together in series; a third system of fluid passages connecting the containers of the third group together in series; means for applying vacuum to the last container in the third series; a source of milk; a distribution 8 valve having at least five ports, the first and second of which are connected, respectively, to the first and last containers of the first series, the third and fourth of which are connected, respectively, to the first and last containers of the second series, and the fifth of which is connected to a container in the third series, and said valve having at least three fluid passageways, the first of which is adapted to connect the source with a single port and the second and third of which are each adapted to connect together two of said ports; a movable member controlling the passageways; and means for moving the member from a first position connecting all of the containers together in a single series in which the source is connected through the first passageway to the first port with the second passageway connecting together the second and third ports and with the third passageway connecting together the fourth and fifth ports, to a second position connecting the source only to the second and third series with the source being connected through the first passageway to the third port and with the second passageway connecting together the fourth and fifth ports, and to a third position connecting the source only with the third series with the source being connected through the first passageway to the fifth port.

4. A milk distribution system comprising: a first and a second plurality of containers; a first system of fluid passages connecting the first plurality of containers together in series; a second system of fluid passages connecting the second plurality of containers together in series; means for applying vacuum to the last container in the second series; a source of milk; a distribution valve having an inlet port and at least three other ports, the first of which is connected to the first container of the first series, the second of which is connected to the last container of the first series, and the third of which is connected to the first container of the second series, and said valve having at least two fluid passageways, the first of which is adapted to connect the inlet port with a single other port and the other of which is adapted to connect together two of said other ports; a movable member controlling the passageways; and means for moving the member from a first position in which the inlet port is connected through the first passageway to the first port with the other passageway connecting together said second and third ports, to a second position connecting the inlet port to the third port whereby flow to the first series of containers is shut off.

5. A milk distribution system comprising: a first and a second plurality of containers and a common overflow container; a first system of transparent plastic tubing forming fluid passages opening through the tops of the containers to connect the containers in the first plurality together in series; a second system of transparent plastic tubing forming fluid passages opening through the tops of the containers to connect the containers in the second plurality together in series; means for applying vacuum to the common container; a source of milk; a distribution valve fixed to the top of the common container and having at least five ports, the first and second of which are connected to different containers in the first series, the third and fourth of which are connected to difierent containers in the second series, and the fifth of which opens through the top of the common container, and said valve having at least three fluid passageways, the first of which is adapted to connect the source to a single port, the second of which is adapted to connect together two of said ports and the third of which is adapted to connect the fifth port with one of the other ports; a movable member controlling the passageways; and means for moving the member from a first position connecting all of the containers together in a single series in which the source is connected through the first passageway to the first port, the second and third ports are connected together through the second passageway and the fourth and fifth ports are connected together through the third passageway, to a second position connecting the source only to said first series with the source being connected through said first passageway to the second port and said first and fifth ports are connected together through the third passageway, and to a third position connecting the source only to said second series with the source being connected through said first passageway to the third port and said fourth and fifth ports are connected together through said third passageway.

6. A milk distribution system for delivering milk to all or selected groups of a plurality of milk containers comprising: a first system of fluid passages for connecting a first group of the containers together in series; a second system of fluid passages for connecting a second group of the containers together in series; a distribution valve adapted to be connected to a source of milk, said valve having at least three ports, the first of which is adapted to be connected to the first container of the first series, the second of which is adapted to be connected to the last container of the first series, and the third of which is adapted to be connected to the first container of the second series, and said valve means having at least two fluid passageways, the first of which is adapted to connect the source with a single port and the other of which is adapted to connect together two of said ports; a movable member controlling the passageways; and means for moving the member from a, first position in which the source is connected through the first passageway to the first port with the other passageway connecting together said second and third ports, to a second position connecting the source to the third port whereby fiow to the first series of containers may be shut off.

7. A milk distribution system for distributing milk sequentially into selected groups of a plurality of containers comprising: a plurality of milk container lids each having a plurality of openings therein; a distribution valve having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a source of milk, a plurality of other ports, and means movable to control said other ports; and a plurality of lengths of transparent plastic tubing, the ends of the tubing being tapered for ready insertion into said openings and adapted to be connected in said other ports to connect each container in each group in series with the other containers in said group and to connect the groups together in series through said other ports in said distribution valve.

8. A milk distribution system for distributing milk sequentially into selected groups of a plurality of containers comprising: a plurality of milk container lids each having a plurality of openings therein; a distribution valve having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a source of milk, a plurality of other ports, and means movable to control said other ports; and a plurality of lengths of tubing, the ends of the tubing being adapted for ready insertion into said openings and to be connected to said other ports to connect each container in each group in series with the other containers in said group and to connect the groups together in series through said other ports in said distribution valve.

9. The method for sequentially filling preselected groups of containers with milk from a single source connected to milk withdrawing apparatus which comprises: connecting a first group of containers together in series; connecting a second group of containers together in series; connecting the last container in the first group and the first container in the second group together to connect the groups together in series; delivering milk from the source to a distribution point; constantly applying vacuum to the last container of the second group; directing the flow of milk from the distribution point into the first container of the first group of containers; maintaining the flow to fill all of the containers in said first group; redirecting the flow from said distribution point into the first container of the second group of containers while simultaneously breaking the connection between the groups of containers; and then replacing the filled con tainers in the first group with empty containers connected together in series while filling the containers in the second group.

10. The method for sequentially filling a plurality of serially connected groups of containers with milk from a single source which comprises: connecting said groups of serially connected containers in series; delivering milk from the source to a distribution point; delivering the flow of milk from the distribution point into the first container of the first group of containers; maintaining the flow to fill all of the containers in said first group; redirecting the flow from said distribution point into the first container of another group of containers while simultaneously breaking the connection with said first group of containers; and then replacing the filled containers in the first group with empty containers while filling the containers in said other group.

11. A milk distribution system for distributing milk sequentially into selected groups of a plurality of containers comprising: a plurality of milk container lids each having at least one opening therein; a distribution valve having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a source of milk, a plurality of other ports, and means movable to control said other ports; and a plurality of lengths of conduit means operably connectable with said openings and with said other ports to connect each container lid in each group in series with.

the other container lids in said group and to connect the groups together in series through said other ports in said distribution valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

